Tracking and Legislation

March 13: Along with other Republicans, Turner voted to abandon the House investigation into Russia. House Republicans claimed that they found no evidence of collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign, despite intelligence findings that show Russia had a clear preference for Trump during the election.

Senator Portman

Major Votes

None

Other Activity

March 16: Portman visited Dayton and spoke before the Chamber of Commerce, where he urged them to step up the fight against opioids. Portman is backing the legislation that would impose a 3-day limit on initial opioid prescriptions.

February 27: Voted Yea on HR 1865. Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act (SESTA). This allows the government to prosecute websites which knowingly help or promote sex trafficking and will allow lawsuits against these websites. (backpage.com and similar sites are big targets of this bill). The bill passed 388-25. Now it is up to the Senate where it does have bipartisan support.

Other Activity
February 24: Turner, a member of the House Intelligence Committee stated in response to Adam Schiff’s (CA-28) memo release: “As I stated multiple times in the business meeting to release this memo, and as House Intel Democrats acknowledged and agreed five times in that meeting, Mr. Schiff’s memo does not disprove that politically funded documents were used as evidence in court. In this case, the Democratic National Committee and Hillary Clinton’s campaign paid for dirt on its opponent, which was then used in a court as evidence to survey a citizen of the United States. This was an abuse of FISA. Politically funded documents from either side should not be used as evidence in Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Courts.” HE CONVENIENTLY DOES NOT MENTION THAT THERE WAS OTHER EVIDENCE SCREAMING FOR A LOOK INTO CARTER PAGE’S ACTIVITIES. THIS OTHER EVIDENCE OFTEN PRE-DATED WHAT TURNER SAYS ARE OBJECTIONABLE DOCUMENTS.

Senator Portman

Major Votes

None

Other Activity

February 26: The Senator touted his Ohio Tax Reform Tour on Bloomberg’s DAYBREAK AMERICA. It seems his tour consisted of visits to small Ohio businesses. He did not mention what the tax cuts will do to the deficit, the time limits on personal tax cuts for families and singles, or the cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid that are coming because of the out-of-control deficits. On gun control, he stated: “I think that Congress will act, and I am a cosponsor of legislation to tighten the background checks.” He also mentioned the missed signs of trouble in Florida and the need to tighten up the enforcement side.

February 26: He and Sen. Murphy (D-CT) gave their support to the DOD and State Department’s Memorandum of Agreement to put into operation a Global Engagement Center (GEC) to counter foreign propaganda.

February 27: Sen. Portman and a large group of bipartisan Senators commended the House for passing SESTA to help fight online sex trafficking.

February 27: Portman introduced the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery (CARA) 2.0 Act to increase funding levels for programs started in the 2016 CARA.

February 27: Senator Sherrod Brown has succeeded in creating the Joint Select Committee on Solvency of Multi-employer Pension Plans. (50,000 Ohioans’ pensions are endangered.) On this day, Mitch McConnell appointed Senator Portman to the 16-member committee.

February 27: Portman joined a bipartisan group of colleagues in asking the Administration to immediately discharge outstanding federal student loans for fatally injured and permanently disabled Americans including veterans (this was part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act).

March 3: Senator Portman announced on Twitter that he is Co-Chair of the International Conservation Caucus to protect threatened species. His activities need to be watched closely considering the recent Republican attacks on the environment and his usual strict adherence to the party line.

The House and Senate were in recess Feb 20-22, and no events were scheduled Feb 23.A slow week for Congress, despite the non stop chaos. A review of the websites of Rep. Turner and Sen Portman showed that neither issued any public statements on the school shootings last week that have dominated media coverage.

Representative Turner

Major Votes

February 14: Turner voted yea on HR3299, Protecting Consumers Access to Credit Act of 2017, a bill that authorizes the rate of interest on a loan to remain unchanged even after it is transferred from one bank to another.

Other ActivityA review of Turner’s record reveals he hasn’t sponsored a bill that was enacted, since HR2207 Be Safe Act, introduced 5/23/13. (Govtrack)

Note: The NRA has spent $23,465 in direct and outside support to help Turner, and $0 in opposition.

Senator Portman

Major Votes

February 15: voted Yea on HR2579, Broader Options For Americans Act, which failed. It would have authorized legal status and possible citizenship for individuals registered under the DACA program.

Other ActivityFebruary 15: Portman introduced legislation with two other senators to enhance border security and codify DACA protections. It would establish a $25 billion trust fund to enhance border security, and allow dreamers to stay. It would codify DACA protections for those currently covered, and preserve the current renewal process at two year intervals. The border portion calls for not less than 700 miles of reinforced fencing, additional barriers, access patrol roads, cameras and sensors, and manned/unmanned aircraft. Spending would be limited to $5 billion in any fiscal year. Note: The NRA has spent $3,061,941 in direct and outside support to help Sen. Portman win, and $0 to oppose him.

February 15: As the nation was mourning the school killings yesterday, our House and Mike Turner voted to advance the misleadingly named “ADA Education and Reform Act” {HR 620}, a bill that would roll back many of the hard-won protections in the ADA – Americans With Disabilities Act.

Other Activity

Note: News of Turner this week is all about him deposing fellow congressman, Californian Darrell Issa, in Turner’s divorce proceedings.

February 15: A call to Turner’s office revealed no new statement on gun violence, so according to his voting record he still opposes common sense gun control. So, what is his stance on solving this killing of school children? NO change in his support of the 2nd Amendment and position against gun control.

Senator Portman

Major Votes

February 15: The Republican-led Senate blocked both Trump’s immigration plan and a bipartisan alternative, a failure that casts doubt on whether congress will ever resolve the fate of DREAMERS. Portman voted no to all plans.

Other Activity

Note: Since the shooting in south Florida on February 14th, it will be interesting to see what statements Portman makes. To date, he has made none.

Important to remember that Portman has an “A” rating with the NRA and has received over $3 million dollars in campaign contributions from them over his political career. He also voted “NO” on banning high capacity magazines of over 10 bullets. He voted “YES” on prohibiting suing gunmakers and sellers for gun misuse.

From Portman’s web site: “I believe we should work to reduce gun violence through better enforcement of current gun laws, enhancing school security, and ensuring that those who suffer from mental illness—a common thread in attacks—receive proper care.”

February 14: Portman praised Treasury Secretary Mnuchin. He thanked him for providing direct relief to American families and called it “amazing” that more than 4 million Americans are now receiving more benefits from their employers.

February 15: Portman joined Senator Brown and bipartisan senators to introduce a bill to combat drug-facilitated human trafficking

February 13: Former White House staff secretary Rob Porter, who resigned last week after his two ex-wives came forward publicly with allegations of spousal abuse, previously worked as a top aide for Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio. “I was shocked to hear about charges”, Portman said.

February 9: voted to approve the bipartisan budget act. Turner: “Today’s passage…is a win for our men and women in uniform…”

Other Activity

February 6: Chaired a hearing of the House Armed Services Committee to address flight crews losing consciousness in aircraft. At the hearing he called on Senate Democrats to fund defense.

February 9: Press release on “the memo”: “In Monday’s newly released transcript, Democrats on the House Intelligence Committee acknowledged five times that their memo does not disprove that the Democratic National Committee and Hillary Clinton paid for information used in a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court…As a full committee, we must move forward to address these FISA abuses and ensure that no individual from either party has politically funded materials being used as evidence in a court against them.”

Senator Portman

Major Votes

February 9: Voted to approve HR 1892, the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018.

Other Activity

February 5: Portman welcomed Trump to Cincinnati, met him at the airport and joined him at his speaking events, where Trump alarmingly described the Democrats choice not to clap during his State of the Union address as “treasonous.”

February 6: With Sen. Brown co-sponsored a bill to designate the Federal building and United States courthouse in Dayton, Ohio, as the “Walter Rice Federal Building and Court House.”

February 6: Called for passage of SESTA to help protect children against online sex trafficking.

February 8: Sen. Portman urged the passage of the bipartisan STOP (Synthetics Trafficking & Overdose Prevention) Act which is designed to help stop illegal drugs from being shipped into the U.S. and called on Congress to provide more funds for CARA (Comprehensive Addiction & Recovery Act) and the CURES law to confront the opioid crisis.February 9: Voted to approve HR 1892, the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018.

Senator Brown

Major Votes

February 8: Voted to approve the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018. Sen. Brown secured the creation of a bipartisan House and Senate Joint Select Committee tasked with solving the pension crisis threatening more that 60,000 Ohioans and 1.5 million workers and retirees nationwide.

Other Activity

February 5: Called on Mr. Mulvaney, Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, to protect consumers and continue the investigation of Equifax data breach.

February 5: With a large bipartisan group of senators, signed a letter to Sen. McConnell and Sen. Schumer in support of the reauthorization of funding for community health centers.

February 5: Called on the Senate to pass the FAMILY Act and the Healthy Families Act.

February 6: With Sen. Portman co-sponsored a bill to designate the Federal building and United States courthouse in Dayton, Ohio, as the “Walter Rice Federal Building and Court House.”

February 8: Sen. Brown introduced bipartisan legislation to overturn a policy that disadvantages 1890s Land-Grant Universities. (All are Historically Black Universities). Sen. Brown also announced the inclusion in the budget agreement of a provision to protect Ohio’s dairy farmers.

According to FiveThirtyEight, as of 1/24/18, Sen. Portman votes with Trump 93.4% of time and Rep. Turner votes with Trump 95.3%. Representative Mike TurnerNote: Turner is active on Twitter and is on Facebook, in case you want to follow him. Also, on his website, he has photo albums of constituent meetings. According to the website, this page was updated 4 years ago. Surprised?

Major Votes

January 22: Voted Yea on HR 195. Extension of Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018. CONCURRENCE VOTE. It also helps gut Obamacare by: (1) abolishing a 2.3% excise tax on the sale of medical devices in 2018 and 2019 (2) delaying until 2022, an excise tax (the “Cadillac tax”) on high-cost employer health coverage (3) requiring suspension in 2019, of an annual excise tax imposed on health insurers (you know, since they are doing so poorly). Passed (266-150).January 19: Voted Yea on HR 4712. Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. Requires certain procedures when an abortion results in a child born prematurely and alive. This bill offers all the rights and protections under the law as any newborn or any person. Passed House (241-183).

January 30: Voted Yea on HR 695. Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2018. The bill passed the defense budget which will end September 30. 2018. This was a concurrence vote. Passed (250-166).

January 29: Rep. Turner, along with Rep. Kuster (D-NH-2), Sen. McCaskill (D-MO), and Sen. Johnson (R-WI), introduced the Improve Data on Sexual Violence Act in the House and the Senate.

Other Activity

February 2: On the Nunes Memo: “I agree with President Donald J. Trump’s decision to release this information to the American public. We entrust these institutions, the FBI and DOJ, with incredible power. Abuses of these powers are a threat to our democracy and need to be addressed.” FACEBOOK. Mike Turner.Senator Rob Portman

Major Votes

January 20: Voted Yea in cloture vote involving debate on HR 195. Cloture was NOT invoked (50-49). Note: This was a vote to bring debate on the bill to a quick end. It is the only way the Senate can vote to place a time limit on consideration of a bill and overcome a filibuster. Cloture needs 60 votes and limits consideration of the matter to an additional 30 hours.

January 22: Voted Yea on HR 195. Extension of Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018. It also helps gut Obamacare by: (1) abolishing a 2.3% excise tax on the sale of medical devices in 2018 and 2019 (2) delaying until 2022, an excise tax (the “Cadillac tax”) on high-cost employer health coverage (3) requiring suspension in 2019, of an annual excise tax imposed on health insurers (you know, since they are doing so poorly). Passed Senate (81-18).

January 29: Voted Yea for cloture and supports the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act which restricts abortions after the 20-week mark. Cloture was NOT invoked (51-46).January 29: Senator Portman stated that he favored the proposed Protection Child Custody Act which will make it a federal offenseto transport minors across state lines for an abortion if it circumvents a state law that requires parental involvement in the abortion. He has a 100% pro-life voting record.February 1: Senators Portman and Cardin (D-MD) issued an opinion on the UN Human Rights Council Report compiling an anti- Israel blacklist of businesses. “We strongly oppose the ongoing efforts to compile a blacklist of companies that do business in Israeli-controlled territories.” 22 U.S. companies have been preliminarily identified by UNHRC methodology. The Senators have introduced the Israel Anti-Boycott Act to protect U.S. companies from boycotts and to continue to encourage direct negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians. They feel the blacklist would seriously hinder continued negotiations.

Other Activity

February 3: No official statement on his office or Facebook page about the Nunes memo. (On Facebook, there are calls from his constituents for comment.) However, THE BUSINESS JOURNAL reports that the Senator thinks the memo makes “serious allegations” about how FBI and Justice sought the surveillance of a U.S. citizen. He is concerned with the Steele dossier’s accuracy and supports the release of other information pertaining to the memo. He supports disclosing the Democrats’ memo if it does not harm intelligence gathering in the future.